Two 15-year-old students arrested on suspicion of unlawful gun possession following a lockdown Wednesday, Dec. 17 at Evergreen High School were ordered released to electronic home detention after their first court appearance, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The teens appeared Thursday afternoon, Dec. 18 at the Clark Child and Family Justice Center in Seattle. Prosecutors asked the court to hold both youths in secure detention, citing serious community safety concerns tied to the incident at the White Center campus.
After hearing from prosecutors, defense attorneys, juvenile probation counselors and family members, the court ordered the two juveniles to electronic home detention with conditions. Those conditions include no unauthorized contact with Evergreen High School and regular communication with juvenile probation counselors, the prosecutor’s office said.
A judge found probable cause for the arrests. However, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said juvenile court rules and state law do not allow for a public first appearance narrative comparable to adult cases.
The court set Monday, Dec. 22, as the deadline for a rush file charging decision. The case has not yet been referred by the King County Sheriff’s Office to prosecutors, which the prosecutor’s office said is typical. Referrals in both juvenile and adult cases often occur in the days following a first appearance and close to the charging deadline.
No prior cases involving the two teens have been referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, according to prosecutors.
As with all criminal cases, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Doesn’t the law read that minors can accrue (five gun possession charges) before any real punishment is instituted? It’s mind boggling that a teenager can threaten someone with the means to kill them, and it’s considered a learning curve with points allowed.
Let us all make sure these guys are comfortable meanwhile the rest of the students and families stress and worry about potential gun violence. They need to sit in detention not sit at home. Also because of this incident there was another social media post about Cascade and a threat that was supposedly found to be a fake. At what point will the safety of the rest of us matter?
And are they expelled from ever returning to evergreen again?